Hayley Sugars

Hayley Sugars studied at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), graduating with a Bachelor of Music
(1998) and a Bachelor of Music Honours (1999). In 2007, she completed her Master of Music Degree at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (QCGU). She has been the recipient of the Joyce Campbell Lloyd Scholarship (which allowed her to study in the UK and the USA for six months in 2002) and a two-time recipient of the Elizabeth Muir Postgraduate Scholarship (2004 and 2006). In 2006, she won the National Lieder Competition, was a finalist in the National Operatic Aria Competition and the Australian National Oratorio Competition, and finished second in the South East Queensland Aria and Concerto Competition. In 2007, she was a semi-finalist in the Herald Sun Aria Competition.

During her studies, Hayley performed the roles of First Lady in The Magic Flute, Galatea in Acis and Galatea, Phyllis in Iolanthe, Dido in Dido and Aeneas, Countess Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro and Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte (for the USQ) and Eurydice in Orpheus and Eurydice, Thérèse in Les mamelles de Tirésias, Miss Wordsworth in Albert Herring and Queen of Night in The Magic Flute (for the QCGU).

In 2005 and 2006, Hayley performed in the chorus of Opera Queensland’s productions of The Marriage of Figaro and Romeo and Juliet, respectively. As a member of the company’s 2007 Developing Artist Program, she understudied the roles of Mother, Witch and Sandman in the chamber opera production of Hansel and Gretel and was a member of the Moving Opera! team. As a 2008 Young Artist, she understudied the roles of Queen of Night and Second Lady in The Magic Flute (and performed in the chorus of the same production) and performed the role of a Handmaiden in Turandot. This year, she will perform in the chorus of La traviata.

On the concert platform, Hayley has appeared with The Queensland Choir, The Queensland Orchestra, Noosa Chorale, Toowoomba Philharmonic Society and the USQ Chamber Choir and Singers. Her repertoire includes Mozart’s Exsultate, Jubilate and Requiem, Brahms’ German Requiem, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Handel’s Messiah, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Haydn’s The Creation and Poulenc’s Gloria.In 2007, she performed Carmina Burana at the inaugural International Bonyi Youth Music Festival (at Brisbane’s Queensland Performing Arts Centre). She has also sung in masterclasses for Yvonne Kenny, Richard Miller, Neil Semer and Richard Bonynge.

(Hayley is proudly supported by Professor Ian Frazer and Mrs Caroline Frazer)